Platycnemididae facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Platycnemididae Temporal range: Cenomanian–Recent PreЄ Є O S D C P T J K Pg N
Copera marginipes
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Odonata
Suborder:	Zygoptera
Family:	Platycnemididae Jacobson and Bianchi, 1905
Subfamilies
Allocnemidinae Dijkstra, 2014 Calicnemiinae Fraser, 1957 Disparoneurinae Fraser, 1957 Idiocnemidinae Dijkstra, 2014 Onychargiinae Dijkstra, 2014 Platycnemidinae Yakobson & Bianchi, 1905

Malagasy featherleg (Proplatycnemis hova) is a type of white-legged damselfly.

This is a female Proplatycnemis alatipes, another kind of white-legged damselfly.

The Platycnemididae are a family of damselflies. They are often called white-legged damselflies because of their unique leg markings. There are more than 400 different kinds, or species, of these damselflies. You can find them mostly in the Old World, which includes places like Africa, Europe, and Asia.

What are Damselflies?

Damselflies are amazing insects that fly around water. They are related to dragonflies. Both are part of a group called Odonata. Damselflies usually have slimmer bodies than dragonflies. When they rest, most damselflies hold their wings together over their back. Dragonflies, however, often hold their wings out flat.

Where Do White-Legged Damselflies Live?

White-legged damselflies live in many parts of the world. They are found across the "Old World." This means you can see them in Africa, Europe, and Asia. They also live in Australia and the islands of Oceania. These damselflies usually prefer places near fresh water. This includes rivers, streams, and ponds.

What Makes Them Special?

The name "white-legged damselflies" comes from a special feature. Many species in this family have pale or white markings on their legs. These markings can be quite noticeable. They help scientists identify different types of damselflies. These insects are often quite colorful too. They can have bright blue, green, or red bodies.

Life Cycle of a Damselfly

Like many insects, damselflies go through different life stages. This is called a life cycle. It starts with an egg. The female damselfly lays her eggs in or near water. Sometimes she lays them inside plant stems.

From Nymph to Adult

After hatching, the egg becomes a nymph. Nymphs live underwater. They breathe using gills. They are tiny predators, eating small water creatures. Nymphs grow by shedding their skin many times. This process is called molting. When a nymph is ready, it crawls out of the water. It then sheds its skin one last time. This is when it changes into an adult damselfly. The adult damselfly then flies around, mates, and lays eggs. This completes the cycle.

Different Kinds of White-Legged Damselflies

Scientists group living things into categories. A "family" is one of these groups. The Platycnemididae family is divided into smaller groups called "genera" (plural of genus). There are about 50 different genera within this family. Each genus contains one or more species. For example, the Copera genus includes the Copera marginipes species.

Genera include: